Overview

Art & industry in the Black Country

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The magnificent Victorian Wightwick Manor is one of the few surviving examples of an Arts & Crafts house in the country. Stuffed full of original treasures, including Morris & Co wallpapers, fabrics and furniture, you’ll explore Wightwick with expert Prof Anne Anderson, as well as Arts & Crafts Winterbourne House, Birmingham’s St Philip’s Cathedral, the City’s Art Gallery with its outstanding pre- Raphaelite collection and Stourbridge Glass Quarter.

Highlights and Inclusions

4 October 2018

Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Bromsgrove Hotel and Spa, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room

Welcome reception

First night private three-course dinner with wine

Second night dinner in hotel restaurant

All talks, guided tours, and admissions

Coach transfers and tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

Transport to the hotel is not included

Single room supplement

Extra nights on bed & breakfast basis

Holiday Insurance

Meals other than those stated

Items of a personal nature such as drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc

Porterage and gratuities

Itinerary

Day
1

Arrive independently at the Bromsgrove Hotel and Spa from 15.00.

This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Prof. Anne Anderson – ‘Understanding the Pre-Raphaelites’.

Day
2

This morning will be spent exploring Wightwick Manor.

The house was built by Theodore Mander, of the wealthy industrialist Mander family, between 1887 and 1893. Theodore and his wife Flora were inspired by Oscar Wilde’s ‘the House Beautiful’ lecture when they came to decorate Wightwick’s interiors, filling it with the designs of William Morris and his contemporaries. In the afternoon we will travel to Stourbridge to see the Glass Quarter which tells the story of the glass manufacturing industry since the 18th century. This evening there will be a lecture by Prof. Anne Anderson – ‘Glass Making in the Black Country’ and dinner in the hotel restaurant

Day
3

Our first visit of the day is to Birmingham and its city’s cathedral St Philips, here we will view the Burne-Jones stained glass windows before visiting the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to enjoy the Pre-Raphaelite collection which includes Ford Madox Brown’s The Last of England, Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Proserpine and Edward Burne- Jones’ Pygmalion series. Our last visit of the day is to Winterbourne House, set within seven acres of beautiful botanic gardens. Beautifully-restored to its Edwardian Arts & Crafts splendour, the house has a fine collection of furniture and offers a fascinating insight into the life, style and times of the wealthy Edwardian Nettlefolds family, owner of the GKN manufacturing company. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour managers' discretion

Please note: Extra nights are available at a supplement, please call us to discuss your date of travel and extra night rates